The poem is written in the form of a sonnet. However, here, Cummings departs from iambic pentameter as is normal in a sonnet and inserts an inverted metrical foot: a trochee. This suggests his difficulty in expressing the helplessness of his lovers' new found relationship

Turning his “face” = further suggestion of reluctance, where only visibly (in facial expression) he has accepted the predicament

The vast expanse of “lost lands” and the loneliness of the “one bird” dramatically finalises the sadness of the speaker

Repetition suggests his reluctance for ‘this’ (the lover to find another man) to happen

Tone is important in this poem. In the unrelenting pace of “onetwothreefourfive,” there is a sense of childish excitement about Buffalo Bill. At the same time, there’s a sense of horror at the rapidity of the death that “breaks” these birds.

Du Bois (not pronounced like a Frenchman) was a very prominent black civil rights activist in the early twentieth century, and chairman of the NAACP at one point. He wrote a book called The Soul of Black Folk, which Talib refers to meaning dead black men following a beef

This line is reminiscent of Nas’s Shootouts, in which he professes his love for army apparel and talks about how it is related to battle, using it to take cover in trees while he shoots at his enemies.

Dip behind trees in fatigues and squeeze, dodge and weave

Plus the lining is perfect for hiding an Uzi.

Not on vacation

Easily three of the greatest of all time, who Eminem acknowledges above him

These for lines were later used to Jay-z

Bun B flips the meaning of sense and pussy to explain the ‘ho’ he beat up was not actually a woman, but a pathetic man

The first line is a quote from Children’s Story